JackQuisitions - Small Business Acquisitions in Home Service

#23 Would You Buy This? $2M Pool Business vs. 221 ATMs

Oct 3, 2025

John Wilson, a home-services operator and acquisitions expert, joins to analyze two intriguing deals: a premium pool service route and a 221-ATM business. They dissect seasonality and labor issues impacting the pool business's economics, explore how it fits into a home-services model, and evaluate its buyer suitability. In contrast, the ATM route is examined for its high margins and operational simplicity, but potential scalability issues and relationship concentration risks are highlighted. A must-listen for anyone considering service route investments!

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INSIGHT

Pool Service Fits Home-Service Platforms

Pool service operates like a maintenance→service→replace home-service model with cross-sell potential into HVAC/plumbing.
Commercial indoor pools add sticky B2B contracts and restoration/mold remediation upside.

INSIGHT

Seasonality Shapes Pool Business Economics

Pool businesses are highly seasonal with much revenue concentrated in a few months, unlike year-round trades.
Seasonality simplifies labor planning but complicates cashflow forecasting.

ADVICE

Use Pools To Cross-Sell And Lower Lead Costs

If you already run plumbing/HVAC, integrate pool pumps and equipment into your service lines to capture higher-ticket replacements.
Use pool leads as cheap LSA arbitrage to feed membership and cross-sell programs.

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In this episode of JackQuisitions, Jack flips the mic to bring on… JackQuisitions favorite and Owned & Operated’s own John Wilson. Together they break down two real deals in Ohio: a premium pool service route in Northeast Ohio and a 221-ATM route in Franklin County (Columbus). They dig into seasonality, margins, route density, and the very real difference between buying a cash-flowing job vs. a scalable business. If you’re weighing service routes, LSA arbitrage, or sticky B2B contracts (YMCA/schools/hotels), this one’s rubber-meets-the-road deal analysis.

John and Jack unpack how pool service plugs neatly into a home-services platform (maintenance → service → replace), where the margin leaks might be, and why commercial indoor pools can spin off restoration/mold remediation upsides. Then they turn to the ATM route: 221 machines, ~two people to run it, eye-popping EBITDA… but relationship concentration, pricing, and “are you buying a job?” realities.

💼 Special Thanks to First Internet Bank!

Looking to buy or expand a business? First Internet Bank is a National Preferred SBA lender specializing in acquisitions for the skilled trades. Their SBA loan program offers up to 90% financing for business acquisitions, partner buyouts, and commercial real estate—plus optional lines of credit to fuel future growth. Unlike traditional lenders, they take a “how can we” approach, making deals happen for both first-time buyers and experienced operators.

👉 Special Offer: Mention Owned and Operated for a reduced good faith deposit and a complimentary deal review + buyside prequalification.

Connect with Alan Peterson from First Internet Bank here: [https://alanfib.com/]

💼 Business Modification Group —

The go-to business brokers for trades companies. Whether you’re buying or selling HVAC, plumbing, or electrical businesses, we help you navigate valuations, find deals, and close successfully. Get a free valuation as a buyer or seller and join our exclusive distribution list for the best opportunities in the trades market.

👉 Get Your Free Valuation Here

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💼 Shoutout to Appletree Business Services

HVAC and plumbing pros—ditch tax surprises and unresponsive accountants. Appletree handles your books, taxes, payroll, and acquisitions, and they know tools like ServiceTitan cold.

🎁 Get a free tax & financial review or 10% off a QOE report.

👉 Book a call HERE tell Patrick Jack sent you.

🎙 Host: Jack Carr — https://x.com/thehvacjack
🎙 Guest: John Wilson — https://x.com/thewilsoncompanies

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